The use of rapeseed oil as a biodiesel fuel

Currently, rapeseed is a widespread oilseed crop. With high costs of diesel fuel in the cultivation of agricultural crops, it is quite logical to search for an alternative type of fuel and replace diesel fuel with another, less environmentally harmful and easily reproducible in the conditions of an agricultural enterprise. Previously conducted studies regarding the use of biofuels based on rapeseed oil have shown the prospects of obtaining practically applicable results. Rapeseed oil practically does not contain sulfur, is environmentally friendly and fire-safe, has good lubricating properties, which contributes to an increase in the service life of the fuel equipment and the engine itself. The direct use of rapeseed oil as fuel is impossible, the technology of preparing the fuel mixture is needed. The developed technological line allows to obtain a fuel mixture with a content of rapeseed oil up to 75%. Comparative tests of the D-240 engine on diesel fuel and fuel mixture showed no power drop, equality of torque and reduction of specific fuel costs with a slight increase in the fuel mixture consumption. It was found out that it is of great importance to obtain a high-quality mixture with the existing difference in the viscosity of diesel fuel and rapeseed oil. At the same time, in terms of energy indicators, the fuel mixture is not inferior to mineral diesel fuel.